Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Day 8 in the Authors in Bloom Hop!

It's day 8 of this fun celebration of spring. The Grand Prize is an eReader plus a gift certificate, and each of the 63 participating author are offering something as well. The winners will be chosen from comments left at each blog so be sure to leave your email address when you stop to share a few words with us. It's a win win win!



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To find your next stop on the hop, click here:
Authors in Bloom!




Chickweed has a pleasant mild flavor and can be found on lawns and in open, sunny areas. You can easily identify it by the white star-like flowers and by the single line of soft bristles running down the length of the stem. Like spinach, chickweed is a nutrient powerhouse. Where spinach is mineral-rich, this weed packs a punch with 6 times more Vitamin C, 12 times more calcium, 5 times more magnesium, 83 times more iron than spinach.







Chickweed pesto  
2 cloves of garlic
3 T. pine nuts (or sunflower seeds)
¼ t. salt
2 c. chopped fresh chickweed (packed into the cup)
Fresh basil to taste
½ c. olive oil
½ c. Parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Use it on hot or cold pasta, or as a dip for chips, crackers, or veggies. This recipe freezes well too.

Important to know about wild foods:
Whether you're new to wild harvests or an old pro at munching your way through the weeds in your backyard, I think it's
worth repeating a few things. Some populations of plants are barely surviving due to competition by aggressive invaders and  mindless harvesting. Just because you can eat that native species, doesn't mean you should. It's best to just eat the weeds and leave the rest, especially mushrooms which play an important role in the ecosystem. As far as exotic species go, munch away. They don't belong here anyway and they taste great.
Be safe! Before you start picking, be sure  no pesticides or herbicides have been used there. Only pick where you know for sure.

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My prize, seen below, are two flower-themed hand-enameled copper pendants crafted by a talented jewelry-artist friend of mine. They are one of a kind creations, no other pieces like them. I'm sorry to say my picture doesn't do them justice (new camera, old eyes). Their much prettier in person. Both are strung on black cords, the blue one has a hand-enameled copper bead.



After you've visited all the wonderful Authors in Bloom blogs,
check out my main blog.
I'm posting an interesting topic a day through the alphabet in the month-long 

 

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Rose Anderson – Love Waits in Unexpected Places
WEBSITE | BUY eBOOKS & PAPERBACK | TWITTER
GOOGLE+
| PINTEREST | FACEBOOK

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Don't forget!
Leave your email with your comment on every blog to win.
Visit daily for wild foods recipes and more!


5 comments:

  1. Those are so gorgeous! I'm happy I stopped by and I'm following via GFC now, too!

    ninette.swann at gmail.com

    Come stop by my page for chocolate cake, too!
    http://www.ninetteswann.com/2013/04/authors-in-bloom-blog-hop.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful! :) Thanks for your giveaway!
    oddball2003 at hotmail dot com

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  3. Nice prizes and great tip on the chickweed. So tasty in salads, too!

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  4. Going to go look for chickweed in my backyard.
    bituin76 at hotmail dot com

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  5. Hi! Thanks for sharing! Great tip! Thank you!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete